Page 100 of Knot a Thief

Ava laughs, a sound that warms my heart. “Of course we can, sweetie. Let’s get started.”

As Ava helps Lily to measure her ingredients, Max and I share a look of composed triumph.

It’s a small step, but an important one. We’ve made Ava smile at us, and for now, that’s enough.

We know we have a long way to go and we’ll have to take each moment one step at a time. But we’re ready to show Ava that we care about her happiness, and not just what she can give us.

Lily squeals with delight as Ava plonks the cake mixture on her nose, taking me out of my musings.

I turn and smile at Max. His gaze is different, like he’s seeing Ava for the person she is.

“Can we do this again tomorrow?” Lily asks Ava.

There’s a look of uncertainty crossing Ava’s face before she says, “As long as Daddy agrees.”

Chapter 29

Max

After yesterday, I’m feeling like the world has shifted on its axis. The air around me feels charged, alive with possibility.

I stride through the corridors of our island fortress, my mind racing with thoughts of Ava.

She seems to gravitate towards both Silas and me, and I can feel it in my bones that our pack will soon have an omega who wants us.

A thrill skitters through my body at the realization I will finally have my omega. I never knew I could want something this much, but now that it’s within reach, I’m consumed by the desire of her being my omega for life.

I’ve had offers over the years for omegas, but not one was a scent match, until her. From the moment I found her, I knew it could only have ever been Ava.

That was nearly five years ago. And when I caught her scent for the first time, it was like being struck by lightning. Every cell in my body suddenly woke and sang.

Before that moment, I thought I’d never have a scent match. And even then, as Ava was twenty years younger than me, I told myself she was too young, that I had to wait.

But I always had a plan. I just hoped she’d accept an older man, and I feel she has.

I smile. It looks like it was worth the wait.

I push open the door to the room I’ve prepared for our omega–for Ava. It’s perfect, a nest fit for a queen.

My eyes are drawn to the ceiling, designed to retract and reveal the vast expanse of stars above. I imagine lying here with her, our bodies intertwined as we gaze at the night sky.

For all my wealth, all my power, I’m only now realizing how empty my life has been. I have all the money in the world, and yet I had nothing at all. But now I have Ava. She changes everything.

With a smile tugging at my lips, I exit the room to find her. I want to show her how much I want her.

In the hallway, I pass Silas and Lily. The little girl looks up at me with wide, innocent eyes.

“We’re looking for Mommy,” Lily announces.

I force my smile to stay in place. “Are you playing hide and seek?”

Lily turns to Silas, excitement bubbling in her voice. “Is that it, Daddy? Is Mommy hiding?”

My heart plummets, sinking like a stone in my chest.

The smile slips from my face as I mumble an excuse and hurry away as they continue to look for Ava.

I rush to Ava’s room, my pulse pounding in my ears, but she isn’t there.

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